Academic Programs

Italy with UA Art and Art History in May 2018 

Contact Jason Guynes for more information about our current study abroad plans or to add your name to our list.

Program Overview

Italy 2018 Poster Study Abroad

The Department of Art and Art History at the University of Alabama is hosting a study abroad experience in Italy scheduled for May 5 through May 20, 2018. The program focuses on art history and studio art and will travel to the historic cities of Rome, Florence, and Venice.

There are numerous excursions and museum visits scheduled for the program:

  • In Rome we will visit the Forum, the Capitoline Museum, the Colosseum, St. Peter’s Basilica, the Borghese Villa, and the Vatican Museums.
  • In Florence, we’ll visit the Uffizi Museum, the Galleria dell’ Academia, the Bargello Museum, the Cathedral Complex, and other major monuments.
  • In Venice, we will explore some of the city’s most iconic sites, including Piazza San Marco, Basilica San Marco, and the Doge’s Palace.

Among all of these excursions, there is also time reserved for drawing, painting, or exploring your own creative media, as well as free time for exploring the cities and cultures.

The program will be guided and courses taught by University of Alabama professors Tanja Jones and Jason Guynes. Up to six credit hours may be earned in studio art and/or art history courses with some work required prior to and after the trip.

Accommodations and Meals

Participants will reside in centrally located, 2-3 star hotels throughout the program. Accommodations are based on shared occupancy of 2-4 persons per room (separate beds). Single accommodations are available for an additional charge. Also included are daily breakfasts and welcome and departure dinners.

Courses

Students may register for two classes with up to six (6) credit hours awarded. Typically, students will register for one studio course and one art history course. Registration for classes will be handled on an individual basis in an effort to best meet the educational needs of the student. Studio courses include: any level of drawing or painting, or directed studies in studio art. ART 208/408 Special Projects: Study Abroad Studio will be offered in the areas of Drawing and Painting. The art history courses offered are ARH 367 Art Patronage in Renaissance Florence and ARH 467 Topics in Renaissance Art: Renaissance Art in Venice and Rome. Some course work will be required prior to and after the trip.

Program Costs

The cost of the UA Art and Art History in Italy program will be determined and published soon.

Program costs include all in-country transportation, accommodations as described above, daily breakfasts, welcome and departure dinners in Italy, specified museum and site entrance fees, and international health and emergency insurance.

All meals, other than breakfasts and specified dinners, are at the participant’s own expense. Participants should budget additional funds for art supplies or personal expenses such as souvenirs or independent travel, based upon individual spending habits.

Payment Schedule and Deadline

Payment schedule will be published soon.

Financial aid may be applied to this course. If interested in applying for financial aid, please contact a financial aid officer at your earliest convenience. This course is part of the UA summer interim schedule of courses. Space is limited to 25 participants.

Tentative Program Itinerary

group of students at the Colosseum in Rome

Dates and schedule subject to availability upon receipt of enrollment and deposits.

Saturday – May 5, 2018
Depart Birmingham, AL on flight to Rome.

Sunday – May 6, 2018
Morning: Arrive in Rome, meet with CISabroad On-Site Program Coordinator at the airport, then transfer to accommodations
Afternoon: Settle in and attend on-site orientation Evening: Welcome dinner
Meals: Dinner
Transportation: Airport to accommodations (one group transfer via private coach); accommodations to dinner (walking)

Monday – May 7, 2018
Day: Spend the morning exploring the Colosseum, Forum, and Palatine Hill. Afternoon: Visit the Capitoline Museums
Meals: Breakfast
Transportation: Accommodations to visits (public transportation passes provided and walking)

Tuesday – May 8, 2018
Day: Excursion to Vatican City, beginning with the Vatican Museums, followed by a visit St. Peter’s Basilica
Meals: Breakfast
Transportation: Accommodations to visits (public transportation passes provided)

Wednesday – May 9, 2018
Morning: Visit San Pietro in Montorio
Afternoon: Excursion to Villa Farnesina, a Renaissance villa in Trastevere
Meals: Breakfast
Transportation: Accommodations to visits (public transportation passes provided)

Thursday – May 10, 2018
Morning: Visit the Villa Borghese Museum and Gardens
Afternoon: Free time to explore Rome, with La Vida local cultural activity suggestions available from CISabroad On-Site Program Coordinator
Meals: Breakfast
Transportation: Accommodations to visits (public transportation passes provided)

Friday – May 11, 2018
Morning: Check out of accommodations and transfer to the train station for travel to Florence via high-speed train Afternoon: Arrive in Florence, transfer to accommodations, and embark on a faculty-led walking tour of the city Evening: Group pizza dinner
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Transportation: Accommodations to train station (public transportation); Rome to Florence (high-speed train); Florence train station to accommodations and around Florence (walking)

Saturday – May 12, 2018
Morning: Visit the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo, and Cattedrale di Santa Maria di Fiore including entry to the baptistry, bell tower, and cupola (note: if the group wishes to climb the cupola, a time must be reserved) Afternoon: Visit Palazzo Vecchio and Piazza della Signoria
Meals: Breakfast
Transportation: Accommodations to visits (walking)

Sunday – May 13, 2018
Free day to work on art independently and/or explore Florence with La Vida Local cultural activity suggestions available from CISabroad OPC
Meals: Breakfast
Transportation: None

Monday – May 14, 2018
Day: Excursions to the Palazzo Medici-Riccardi, San Lorenzo complex, and San Marco Monastery
Meals: Breakfast
Transportation: Accommodations to visits (walking)

Tuesday – May 15, 2018
Day: Visit the Uffizi Gallery, Santa Maria di Novella, & Galleria dell’Accademia
Meals: Breakfast
Transportation: Accommodations to visits (walking)

Wednesday – May 16, 2018
Morning: Excursion to the Museo Nazionale del Bargello and Museo Orsanmichelle
Meals: Breakfast
Transportation: Accommodations to visits (walking)

Thursday – May 17, 2018
Morning: Check out of accommodations in Florence and transfer to the train station for travel to Venice Afternoon: Arrive in Venice and transfer to accommodations; free time to explore
Meals: Breakfast
Transportation: Accommodations to Florence train station (walking); Florence to Venice (high-speed train); around Venice (walking)

Friday – May 18, 2018
Day: Explore some of Venice’s most iconic sites, including visits to Piazza San Marco, Basilica San Marco, and the Doge’s Palace
Meals: Breakfast
Transportation: Accommodations to visits (walking)

Saturday – May 19, 2018
Day: Free day to explore Venice before the program ends, with La Vida Local cultural activity suggestions available from CISabroad On-Site Program Coordinator
Evening: Group Farewell Dinner Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Transportation: Accommodations to visits (walking)

Sunday – May 20, 2018
Day: Check out of accommodations and transfer to airport via boat for return flight home
Meals: Breakfast
Transportation: Accommodations to airport (one group airport transfer via boat)